LOROS Hospice: ‘we need to talk about death and dying’

The awareness raising campaign is an annual event but this year has added poignancy as the coronavirus pandemic has affected so many families.

LOROS Director of Care Services Jo Kavanagh said, “We know it’s not an easy thing to discuss but talking about what people want when they die is very important.

“Coronavirus is a sombre reminder that none of us know what’s round the corner, so it’s good to have the conversation well before you need to.”

LOROS Hospice, which each year cares for thousands of patients as they reach the end of their lives, is providing support and resources to help people to start the conversation about their funeral wishes.

“It can be daunting to know where to start. From what song you’d like played at your funeral to who to leave money to, there is a lot to consider. We’ve developed a simple check list to help guide these conversations and make it as easy as possible.

Talking about death is not morbid, says Jo, it’s an inescapable part of life. “We’d encourage everyone to talk to their loved ones about their choices when they die. It won’t make it more likely to happen, in fact it might be a relief to get the conversation started.”